Chris Wilder is set to be sacked by Sheffield United this week, less than a month after overseeing the club’s 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in the Championship play-off final.
The Blades were in the mix for automatic promotion for most of the season before eventually finishing third behind champions Leeds United and runners-up Burnley.
They thrashed Bristol City 6-0 over two legs in the play-off semi-final and took the lead against Sunderland at Wembley, before suffering late heartbreak, with Tommy Watson netting a 95th-minute winner.
Sheffield United suffered play-off despair at Wembley in May against Sunderland (Photo: Reuters)That game will signal the end of Wilder’s second spell as manager, with the club’s owners, the US-based consortium COH Sports led by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, deciding to make a change. Ruben Selles, recently dismissed by Hull City, has been linked with the post.
According to The Telegraph, a dispute over recruitment played a part in Wilder’s exit, with the owners eager to embrace a more data and AI-led approach to buying players.
Wilder was already in place when COH Sports bought the club in December 2024 from the previous owner, the Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
In his first stint between 2016 and 2021, Wilder took the club from League One to the Premier League in the space of two seasons. They also secured their highest league position in 28 years – ninth in the 2019-20 Premier League season – before results deteriorated and Wilder left in March of the following campaign.
The 57-year-old returned to Sheffield United in December 2023, replacing Paul Heckingbottom with the club rooted to the foot of the Premier League.
square FOOTBALL Doing the 92'I deserve a bit of luck' - the former Liverpool wonderkid's long road back
Read More
Although he was unable to save them from the drop, he then took a revamped squad to the brink of an immediate return to the top flight.
A boyhood Blade, Wilder began his playing career with Sheffield United, making more than 100 competitive appearances, and his imminent departure will no doubt sting for him, as well as for a large section of the fanbase.
An often polarising figure, inside Bramall Lane and beyond, Wilder’s departure has inevitably split Sheffield United supporters.
“If I’m ever lucky enough to see a United manager as successful as Chris Wilder again I’ll have won the lottery. Gutted how it’s ended but what a journey. Best ever,” said a fan on X.
“This has to be the worst decision we’ve made as a club since the first time we parted ways with Wilder,” posted another fan.
“I agree with a lot of the criticisms of Wilder but I still can’t help feeling this is the wrong move. It doesn’t sit well with me in the slightest,” said a fan on Reddit.
Another Redditor added: “We’ve been bitten before with thinking the grass is greener on the other side.”
Your next read
square FOOTBALLWhy Chelsea’s Club World Cup opener was played in front of 50,000 empty seats
square FOOTBALLAll the signs that Son Heung-min’s Tottenham career is coming to an end
square FOOTBALLNewcastle’s owners are paying out millions to their rivals – this is not normal
square FOOTBALLLiverpool get green light to seal £45m Kerkez transfer
However, others feel as though he has taken the club as far as he can.
“Love Wilder but I don’t know if he has what it takes to push us that next step. The complete lack of style was infuriating all season,” said one supporter.
“The points total was more than fine. It’s the complete lack of system or Plan B [that was the issue]. The whole game swung on how the players were feeling on that day,” said another.
The club and Wilder are yet to comment publicly on his future.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘Gutted it’s ended’: Sheffield United fans react to Chris Wilder sacking )
Also on site :
- Barbra Streisand Reveals Jaw-Dropping Details of Scandalous Proposal from Hollywood Icon!
- In Q1 2025, enterprise SaaS M&A deal count hit 210, according to PitchBook
- ‘Like the world has forgotten us:’ As Iran-Israel conflict escalates, Gazans fear their suffering will become invisible